Mechanical movement



Dec. 5, 1939. E UNDSEY 2,132,522

, MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed Nov. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ERNEST Z. L1-os BY ma ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 5, 1939. LlNDsEY 2,182,522

MECHANI CAL MOVEMENT Filed Nov. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 35.4 'Fjfist Ebb. 1 55.7.

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INVENTOR. fem/87 E Lmossy BY 0% w M42;

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 5, 1939 I UNITED STATE PATENT OFFIQE.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Ernest E. Lindsey, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Insta-Freeze Corporation, a corporation of California Application November 30, 1937, Serial No. 177,268

16 Claims. (Cl. 74-57) The invention relates to means for translating portion of the shaft showing the blade of the 7 one form of mechanical movement to another, swiveled dog member atthe point of reverse and more particularly to a device for translating at the extremity of the full stroke;

rotary movement into reciprocating movement of Fig. '7 is a similar view in front elevation; varying length stroke, by means of a reversing Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the 5 screw shaft. bottom portion of the shaft with the blade of the Heretofore, where the concept of reversing swivel dog member at the point of reversal screw shafts has been utilized, in one form or short of the full stroke; another, to accomplish reciprocating movement, Fig. 9 is a similar view in front elevation;

19 it has been necessary for the cam follower, "dog, Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in side elevation 10 or similar member traveling in the thread of the of the bottom portion of the shaft showing the screw to complete the entire course of the thread swivel dog member at the point of reversal in one direction before reversing. The nature at the full maximum stroke;

of the structure required the entire stroke to be Fig. 11 is a similar view in front elevation; completed in both directions during the entire Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective 15 period in which the machine is operated. showing the arm attached to the swivel dog In the invention herein, it is an object to promember in contact with the switch trigger mechvide controlled reciprocating motion so that the anism; length of each stroke can be set in advance and Fig. 13 shows the switch actuating mechanism 210 run in accordance with the setting without inon one side of the switch block when turned to terruption or stopping of the movement; to have #5 on the dial;

any desired combination of different length Fig. 14 shows the switch control mechanism on strokes in any sequence to be run through; to inthe other side of the switch block when turned to crease the scope of work of the translated ro- #5 on the dial; tary movement by the provision of variable -Fig. 15 shows the switch actuating mechanism strokes and combinations of them subject to aosimilar to Fig. 13 but in off position on the dial; curate control; to provide such a device in such and simplicity that no skill is required to operate, and Fig. 16 shows the switch control mechanism of where all the control is within the device itself. Fig. 14 in 01f position on the dial. go The invention contemplates such other and Referring now more particularly to the draw- 3() further objects as will appear as the description ings of the device for converting rotary moveof the invention proceeds. ment into reciprocating movement, shaft I0 is In attaining the foregoing objects, together supported and journaled in cross webs H and I2 with such further benefits, advantages, and capawhich are mounted on the housing l3. Suitable bilities as may hereafter appear, and as are inbearings 14 are provided to insure smooth even 35 herently possessed thereby, there is used by way running. The shaft I0 is rotated by a motor I5, of example only, the construction shown in preeither directly or through a reduction gear It or ferred form in the accompanying two sheets of similarly a y other p d Changing ev e.

drawings, wherein similar parts are designated In the Shaft I0 is Cu an endless groove m by the same reference characters in the several traversing the shaft in oppositely directed and 40 views. intersecting spirals, the points of reversal of the Referring to the drawings: spirals defining the limits of the longest stroke Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a device emof which the device is capable. The endless bodying the mechanical movement of the presgroove formed continuous intersecting spiral 4.; ent invention; paths leading up and down (or back and forth) Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device with along the shaft. The crossing and recrossing of the housing and switch control removed; the endless groove form identically spaced loz- Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a enge shaped units or lands along the shaft when swiveled dog member; viewed in either front or rear elevation (see 5 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation at the top Figs. 1, 5, 7, 9 and 11). At the lowermost point of the shaft, showing the blade of the swiveled of the groove l1 and also at the uppermost dog member at the point of reverse short of point, the last full lozenge shaped unit I8 has at the full stroke; the point of reverse one point of the obtuse angle Fig. 5 is a similar view in front elevation; rounded as at 20 and 2! to facilitate the reversal Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation at the of direction and otherwise promote smooth, con- 55 tinuous operation. Inasmuchas the description will be confined to a change of stroke, which stops short of a complete traverse at both top and bottom, to aid in a clear and concise exposition of the device and its operation, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration only and without restriction as to other and different courses of travel and combinations thereof which will readily be aparent to those skilled in the art. For the purposes of the example, the next to last complete lozenge at both ends of the course on the shaft are similarly rounded at one of the obtuse angles as at 22 and 23 and for similar reasons. Thus, the shortest path of travel or stroke possible will be between 22 and 23, and, as will be described later, other possible combinations include the short travel and reverse at the top, and the full travel at the bottom, or vice versa.

Around a portion of the shaft l and slidably mounted thereon is a bearing sleeve member 24 which may be substantially cylindrical in form as shown in Figs. 2 and 12 particularly. Suitably attached to and secured by the sleeve 24 is arm 25 which may be the means for imparting the reciprocating movement to whatever purpose may be desired. Integral with and carried by the bearing sleeve .24 is a built up portion 26, with a threaded opening therethrough to the 'shaft It and adapted to receive the threaded nut 27. Also received within the opening and riding freely therein, is a swiveled dog member 28 having a groove engaging blade 38. The blade 38 is generally wedge shaped in cross section, and cut out between its longitudinal extremities in an are as at 31, conforming to the diameter of the shaft Ill at the base of the groove [7. This, in effect, provides the blade 30 with marginally extending teeth 32 which are a sufficient distance apart to provide bearing at the intersection of the groove at the opposite sides thereof, and in the same direction of travel. A stub-shaft 33 extends outwardly from the swivel dog member 28, and passes through an opening in the threaded nut 27 so that the shaft is freely rotatable therein. At the outer end of the stub-shaft a tapering contact arm 34 is suitably mounted and preferably lies parallel to the longitudinal line of the blade 36 for additional visual directional indication. Obviously, the purpose of the threaded nut 27 is to hold the blade 3i? of the swivel member 28 in operative engagement within the groove of the shaft without in any way affecting its free rotating movement. As this is a point of wear, the threaded nut 21 is preferably provided with a suitable bushing.

Mounted inside the housing [3 and adjacent the shaft it, there is a suitable switch block 35, which is preferably in the form of a panel having two available faces, an inside face 36 and an outside face 3?. On the inside face 36 is motmted trigger switch plate 38 which rides,

smoothly within the limits of slots 4! on screws til. Tension spring Mia tends to urge the trigger plate at all times to the position shown in broken line in Fig. 13 and keeps leg 39 in contact with cam 39a which is integral with ratchet M, as a cam follower. Spring pawl 42 is pivotally mounted on this surface to hold ratchet 44 against reverse movement. On the outside face 3! is mounted bracket 45 for slidably positioning push rod 46. Knob d1, which controls the setting, rotates shaft 48 in making the setting. On the inner end of the shaft 48 is attached the ratchet 44, and on the same shaft but positioned between the outer face and the inner wall of the housing, are the rod actuating cam 50 and the electrical circuit cam which may be integrally joined. Adjacent the cam 54 are flexible contact switch poles B5, 66 and 61. On 65 there are two contact points 65-0, which acts as a cam follower moving in accordance with the contour of cam 5i and the other 65b making contact with the live wire contact point 66a to close the circuit and operate the motor l5. Switch pole 66 also has another electrical contact 66b contacting with point 61a, for a secondary circuit also controlled by the contour of cam 5|.

Adjacent the shaft It, and substantially parallel thereto, is the push rod 86 which is actuated by peripheral lug 52 on the push rod actuating cam 59. In addition to these slidable end brackets 65 it is also slidably mounted in bracket 53 which is attached to spacer 54, mounted on the housing 13. The push rod 46 extends on through ear 55 on cross-web H. The tension holding the push rod against the cam 50 is supplied by the helical tension spring 56, which is positioned between the ear 55 and the collar 51. Attached to the lower end of the push rod 46 is a fork member 58 which engages crank 60, which is rotatably secured in parallel arm 6| and firmly secured to the stop member 62. A portion thereof rests on cross-web H. (See Fig. 8.) Stop member 62 is provided with a piston-like member 63, which, when in operative engagement, works against the tension of helical spring 64 inside the body of stop member 62.

Operation The motor for the rotation of the shaft l0 operates in one direction only, and for the purpose of describing the operation herein it is assumed that the rotation will be anti-clockwise when the shaft is viewed from the top or from left to right in Fig. 1.

The operation of the motor l5 and the rotation of shaft I9 is normally subject to the control of the selective switches 65 and 65 as controlled and set by knob 41, although it is to be understood that if the number of complete circuits or up and down strokes is to be always the same, then, an on and off switch is all that is necessary. The knob 41 is equipped with a dial 47a having numbers representing complete circuits of travel. For example, if the knob of the selective switch 4'! is turned to the number 5 on the dial, the motor will start, and the arm 28 will make five round trips before coming to a stop. This is regardless of whether or not the strokes are the maximum for the device or any intermediate circuit or in varied groupings.

For the purpose of making the explanation of the operation, the dial setting is in off position with contact broken such as is shown in Figs. 15 and 16, and the device at rest substantially as shown in Fig. 1. Then assume that the device is started by turning the knob 41 on the selective switch to the numeral 5 on the dial 47a thereof. The turning of the knob rotates the ratchet 44 and cams 39a, 50 and 5! to the position shown in Figs, 13 and 14. Upon this rotation the contacts 66a. and 55b are made to close the circuit and start the motor it. (Also, the secondary circuit is closed as here shown if desired, although it need not be. The control of the secondary circuit is obviously in the shape of the cam. The secondary circuit is not necessary for this movement but will be included as exemplifying a range of control.) Upon the rotation of the motor and shaft I!) the bearing sleeve 24 immediately begins its downward portion of stroke I with the blade 30 of the swiveled dog member 28 following in the groove H. The arm 34 is in the position shown in broken line in Fig. 12 and gives a visual indication of the course of progress. The lug 52 on cam 56 not being in operative position to depress the push rod 46, the built up portion ,26 on the bearing sleeve contacts the head of plunger E3 compressing the spring 64, substantially as shown in: Figs. 8 and 9. The full travel of the plunger is reached precisely at the moment of reverse at the point less than the full travel, on

the shaft Ill and the restraint with the aid of the bracket 53 to support any possible strain to cause the swiveled dog member to reverse-its direction and start on the upward portion of stroke I. On the way up the lifting pawl 20 carried on arm H pivotally mounted at 12 on the built up portion 26 and further held in engaging position by spring 13, engages a tooth on the ratchet M and rotates the shaft 48, causing the dial 410, to turn back one space to the numeral 4. When the blade 30 reaches the rounded point 22, which is short of the full travel, it will not continue upward but will follow the easier course and reverse to go on the downward portion of stroke 2. There is sufficient weight and balance as well as downward pull to make this the easier course although precisely the same means as used at the bottom could be used for reversing short of the full stroke at the top. Strokes 2 and 3 are the same as I, with the lifting pawl 10 engaging a ratchet tooth on the upward travel and rotating shaft 48 one space on the dial Ma at a time. On the downward portion of stroke 4, the lug 52 on cam 59 comes into operative engagement with push rod 45 forcing the rod downwardly, coinpressing spring 56 and depressing the crank arm 60, causing the stop 52 and the plunger 63 to swing on its pivots out of engaging position and permitting the bearing sleeve member 24 to make the full travel of the stroke. The up portion of stroke 4 and the down portion of the last stroke 5 of the setting are the same as described for stroke l above, except that on the up portion of stroke 4 the cam 5i as shown in the drawings is so shaped as to break the contacts of the secondary circuit. On the upward portion of stroke 5 the lip 14 also carried on arm H engages a projecting lug 15 on ratchet 44 and causes the shaft 48 to rotate one space and this is immediately followed by the lifting pawl l engaging the protruding tooth !fla and moving the dial another space so that on the last up stroke the shaft 48 is rotated twice and the dial moved two spaces. As the bearing sleeve approaches the upper portion of its travel, the trigger plate 38 is released to move into operative engagement with the extremity of arm 34. The release of the trigger plate is controlled by cam 39a. The plate 38 is so positioned as to hold the arm 34', and

therefore the blade 38 of the swiveled dog member in the same position and thereby directing it to continue for the full length of the stroke. (See Fig. 12.) Immediately upon completion of the five strokes the cam is so positioned back to ofi position shown in Fig. 16 that the motor circuit is broken and the movement stops.

In the movement described for setting at #5, the first downstroke has been between point 23 and 23, the first up portion between 23 and 22, the second and third strokes between points 23 and 22, the down portion of stroke 4 between point 22 and 2|, the portion from 2| to 22 and the down portion of stroke 5 from point 22 to 23,

and the up portion stroke from 23 to 2|] to com-' plete the setting.

Obviously, the device can be given any number of settings, and courses of travel by change of the shapes of cams 39a, 50 and 5|, and the form of ratchet M, as well as making or breaking of secondary circuits such as 662) and 61a which further add control and usefulness to the converted and varied reciprocating movement.

Also, other means than cams may be used for accomplishing the points of reversal. For example, contact pegs could be mounted so they would cut in magnets that in turn would operate the reversing means, thus making possible the reversal of direction of travel at any chosen point. i

It is understood that the invention herein described and illustrated by way of example is capable of modification and change, and comprehends other details and constructions without departing from the concept of or the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for the conversion of rotary move-' ment to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing the said shaft in two intersecting spirals with the intersections being rounded at the points of reversal, a swivelled dog member having a blade for traveling in said groove and provided with spaced projections sufficient to provide bearing at the intersections of the groove on both sides thereof in the same direction, means for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in one direction and means carried by said swivelled dog member operated to directionally guide it for the full length traveled in the other direction before reversing.

2. A device for the conversion of rotary move-- ment to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing the said shaft in two intersecting spirals with the intersections being rounded at travel short of the full travel in one direction,

and means carried by said swiveled dog member operating to directionally guide it for the full length of the travel in the other direction before reversing.

3. A device for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing the said shaft in two intersecting spirals with the intersections being rounded at the points of reversal, a swiveled dog" member traveling in said groove, means for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in one direction, means carried by said swiveled dog member operating to directionally guide it for the full length of the travel in the other direction before reversing, and means for placing said reversal assisting means in both directions of travel in or out of operative position during operation.

4. A device for the conversion of rotary move ment to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove rounded at the points of reversal, a swiveled dog member traveling in said groove, means for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in one direction, an arm carried by said swiveled dog member operating to directionally guide it for the fulllength of the travel in the other direction before reversing, and means for placing said reversal assisting means and said arm in or out of operative position in response to actuation in the course of travel,

5. A device for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing it in two intersecting oppositely directed spirals with the intersections rounded at the points of reversal, a swiveled dog member traveling in said groove, means for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full-travel in one direction, an arm carried by said swiveled dog member operating to directionally guide it for the full length of the travel in the other direction before reversing, and means for placing said reversal assisting means and said arm in or out of operative engagement in response to cam settings and movement of the cams in response to-actuation in the course of travel.

6. A machine for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement of varying length strokes including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals with the intersections therein rounded at a plurality of places of reversal, a dog member adapted to travel in said groove, a bearing sleeve member slidably mounted on said shaft and moved by said dog member for imparting the reciprocating movement produced, stop means for assisting the reversal of direction short of the full travel in one direction and means carried on said dog member for operative engagement for full travel in the other direction.

'7. A machine for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement of varying length strokes including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals with the intersections therein rounded at a plurality of places of reversal, a dog member having a blade adapted to travel in said groove, a bearing sleeve member slidably mounted on said shaft and moved by said dog member for imparting the reciprocating movement produced, stop means for assisting the reversal of direction short of the full travel in one direction, means carried on said dog member for operative engagement for full travel in the other direction, and means for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in both directions in or out of engaging position during operation.

8. A machine for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement of varying length strokes including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals with intersections therein rounded at a plurality of places of reversal, a dog member having a blade adapted to travel in said grooves, a bearing sleeve member slidably mounted on said shaft and moved by said dog member for imparting the reciprocating movement produced, stop means adapted to contact said bearing sleeve for assisting the reversal of direction short of the full travel in one direction, means carried on said dog member foroperative engagement for full travel in the other direction, means for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in either direction in or out of engaging position, in response to actuation in the course of travel.

9. A machine for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement of varying length strokes including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals with intersections therein rounded at a plurality of places of reversal, a dog member having a blade adapted to travel in said groove and provide bearing on both sides of the intersection in the same direction of travel, a bearing sleeve member slidably mounted on said shaft and moved by said dog member for imparting the reciprocating movement produced, stop means adapted to contact said bearing sleeve, for assisting the reversal of direction short of the full travel in one direc-.

tion, means carried on said dog member for operative engagement for full travel in the other direction, and cam means for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in either direction in and out of operative engagement during operation.

10. A machine for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement of varying length strokes including in combination, a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals with intersections therein rounded at a plurality of places of reversal, a dog member having -a blade adapted to travel in said groove, a bearing sleeve member slidably mounted on said shaft and moved by said dog member for imparting the reciprocating movement produced, stop means adapted to contact said bearing sleeve, for assisting the reversal of direction short of the full travel in one direction, means carried on said dog member for operative engagement for full travel in the other direction, and cam means adapted for predetermined setting and actuated during the course of travel, for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in both directions in and out of operative engagement.

11. A device for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft rotated by a source of power having intersecting oppositely directed spirals of an endless groove with intersections rounded at a plurality of points of reversal, a dog member traveling in said groove having projections providing bearing at both sides of an intersection in the same direction of travel, a slidably mounted sleeve member mounted on said shaft for imparting the reciprocating movement and moved by said dog member, means for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in either direction.

12. A device for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft rotated by a source of power having intersecting oppositely directed spirals of an endless groove with intersections rounded at a plurality of points of reversal, a dog member traveling in said groove, a slidably mounted sleeve member mounted on said shaft for imparting the reciprocating movement and moved by said dog member, means adapted to contact said bearing for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in either direction, and cam means for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in either direction in and out of operative engagement during operation.

13. A device forthe conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft rotated by a source of power having intersecting oppositely directed spirals of an endless groove with intersections rounded at a plurality of points of reversal, a dog member traveling in said groove, a slidably mounted sleeve member mounted on said shaft for imparting the reciprocating movement and moved by said dog member, means adapted to contact said bearing for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in either direction and cam means for placing said means for controlling the length of travel in and out of operative engagement in response to actuation in the course of travel.

14. A device for the conversion of rotary movement to reciprocating movement including in combination, a shaft rotated by a source of power having intersecting oppositely directed spirals of an endless groove with intersections rounded at a plurality of points of reversal, a dog member traveling in said grooves, a slidably mounted sleeve member mounted on said shaft for imparting the reciprocating movement and moved by said dog member, means adapted to contact said bearing for assisting the reversing of the direction of travel short of the full travel in either direction and means adapted for predeher, control means for setting the length of the v circuits of travel in both directions operative by the course of travel of the slidable member and the dog member.

16. A device of the class described comprising in combination a shaft having an endless groove traversing a portion thereof in oppositely directed intersecting spirals, a bladed dog member adapted for travel in said groove, a member slidably mounted on said shaft for imparting reciprocated movement and moved by said dog memher, control means for setting the number and length of the circuits of travel in both directions operative by the course of travel of the slidable member and the dog member.

ERNEST E. LINDSEY. 

